Phoenix Rising from the Ashes

A year ago today,  I arrived at my beloved HH to find this

I could not believe it then - I still cannot believe it.

This became the iconic photo associated with the arson attack on HH - this piano was nearly 100 years old - I still have the petals from my birthday roses in my office as  a constant reminder that the Phoenix does rise from the ashes.

Today I wore this Alannah Hill dress. I did it without remembering it was actually in my HH cupboard the night of the fire - this photo is evidence.  Fancy that!

This post will be 5% sad, 95 % happy (a glass half full is just the kind of girl I am) - so let's get sad out of the way. Here is the "before" shot of the ballroom a year ago - and the after shot when the 149 year old white marble fireplace basically melted.

Here is the "before" shot of the area to be my office - and the utter devastation which greeted me the day of the fire.

But now onto the 95% happy. Lots has happened over the last 24 hours - 2 of my favourite people are leaving us  - safe travels V and R!

 They bought be this beautiful thank you gift - note the Hanworth Purple! And the fantastic pineapple card

Talking of purple, there is quite a lot of it emerging in our office 

Love these lamps from Laura Ashley

We celebrated Carl's birthday in usual HH fashion

of course we had cake! With a Hanworth purple ribbon no less - thanks to Hanworth Assistant - well played!

I think Carl liked it!
and he celebrated his birthday doing fabulous manoeuvres on this excavator - transforming my landscape of rubble

I have received some wonderful surprise visitors from Zonta - the beautiful Karyn and Keren, a double dose in 2 days - I am so lucky - thank you beautiful ladies!

 

Hanworth Sparkies almost look like they have settled into HH for ever!

Of course she had to return - superstar tea cosy is back - she cosied herself into the newly finished PA office - creating havoc everywhere she went. She just loves the new navy trellis rug

 

  

She settled on Hanworth EA desk pretending to be busy

 

And marvelled (as did we!) at the organisation of the stationery cupboard

But enough of the limelight for her - there was action plus to keep me distracted on this day which conjured  so many sad memories - Hanworth Carpenter Extraordinaire Pete (who has been on the job since the very first day) and I took a moment to reflect

We were both in tears this day a year ago. The removalists moved in

Tradelink delivered the disabled toilets (thanks Rachelle! You were fabulous!) - I promised to keep you updated readers on ALL news at HH - I am not leaving anything out!

 

B at the Bridge caffeined us on what was going to be an emotionally charged day - thanks B!
He is the self declared manager of all occasions at HH eventful 

 

HH's hardworking friend S arrived by ute ready to work and busied herself arranging the dining room and furniture

and A joined her in making the worksite so much more befitting (and clean) on this pivotal day

Remembrance flowers arrived from the beautiful A - so thoughtful

and did all these beautiful souls rock their magic - this was the dining room when we first moved into HH November 2012

This was it 12 months ago today before the arsonist did his deed

and this was it today

I was so proud as the sun set and the lights went on for the first time - thanks to Sparky HH and his team of magnificent men

So the day, like the blog, was 95 % happy. This card greeted me as I woke this morning - I thought it was so beautiful from 2 of my biggest fans

and as I left HH on this anniversary - there was just one more thing to do. Remember the story about my mother's beautiful silver teapot (taken by the arsonist) ?

Read "How to Catch a Thief" here

Well it has been returned to its rightful spot

The Phoenix can rise from the ashes - just watch us...

Thank you to everyone who has been watching and encouraging this journey - tomorrow is my birthday - it wasn't much of a birthday last year, so I have plans to make up for this this year!

Goodnight 

xHH